High international participation, strong business contacts and a positive response to new formats characterised spoga+gafa 2026 in Cologne. Over three days from 22 to 24 June, the leading global trade fair for garden lifestyle and BBQ once again brought together the international garden sector and concluded with a generally positive assessment from exhibitors and visitors.
The June edition was well received by exhibitors, trade and international market partners, with many companies reporting focused discussions with key decision-makers and tangible business results. In light of the current market environment and the feedback gathered on site, Koelnmesse has confirmed that spoga+gafa will continue to be held in June, with the next edition scheduled in Cologne from 15 to 17 June 2027.
In conversations during the fair, exhibitors highlighted that market conditions and economic frameworks have shifted noticeably in recent months due to ongoing global conflicts and international supply chain disruptions. Against this backdrop, the industry’s desire for stability, functionality and planning security is growing. The decision to retain the June timing follows extensive discussions with exhibitors, associations, trading partners and other industry representatives, aiming to provide a stable, internationally established date for the global garden business.
Strategic focus on continuity and planning security
Koelnmesse underlined the role of spoga+gafa as a reliable platform in a demanding environment. Oliver Frese, Chief Operating Officer of Koelnmesse GmbH, said: “spoga+gafa 2026 demonstrated how important the personal exchange and international contacts are, especially in a demanding market environment. Particularly in times of economic uncertainty, the industry’s desire for continuity and a trusted trade fair format grows. The success of this year’s spoga+gafa has reinforced us in our commitment to providing stability and offering the industry an internationally established meeting point in future with the date in June.”
The Industry Garden Association (IVG) also welcomed the decision. Anna Hackstein, Managing Director of IVG, commented: “The feedback from our member companies and the numerous other market participants during spoga+gafa was clear: For the majority of the companies of the garden industry, the date in June is the right choice under the current framework conditions. We explicitly welcome the fact that Koelnmesse has taken these opinions serious and after actively seeking a dialogue with the industry has demonstrated the necessary flexibility. spoga+gafa is an important meeting place for our industry and, as an association, it is an event we deeply value.”
Growing forward: revised concept and theme worlds
Under the new umbrella concept “growing forward”, spoga+gafa 2026 presented a further developed hall structure, clearly defined theme worlds and a range of new formats. These changes were designed to offer communities more space for meeting and exchange, provide additional orientation and respond in a targeted way to the demands of a changing garden and BBQ market.
The trade fair created concrete inspiration for the point of sale with its special areas “Outdoor Adventure” and “Grow Anywhere”. Using realistic living situations ranging from micro-balconies to spacious terraces, these areas showed how urban outdoor spaces can be attractively designed and used, reflecting both compact city living and more generous outdoor environments.
The “Digital Garden Stage” focused on digital solutions, innovative retail concepts and future-oriented themes. In the BBQ section, new formats such as the “Flavour Market”, the “Pitmaster Stage” and the outdoor “Pit & Pitch” area set fresh accents, addressing outdoor cooking and food trends and inviting visitors to spend time and explore. The “Garden Sourcing Hub” supported orientation across the different theme worlds in the international sourcing environment, facilitating efficient navigation for buyers.
Alongside the exhibition areas, numerous networking formats, lectures, panels and guided tours promoted professional exchange between the trade, industry, creators and international market partners, reinforcing the fair’s role as a working platform for market dialogue and trend monitoring.
International retail presence and buyer participation
spoga+gafa 2026 once again attracted a broad spectrum of leading international trading companies to Cologne. Among the firms represented were Action, Aldi, Amazon, BBQ Land, B&Q, Begros, British Garden Centres, Bunnings, Carrefour, Costco, Dehner Gartencenter, Dobbies Garden Centres, EUROBAUSTOFF Handelsgesellschaft, Europa Möbel Verbund, Fritz Berger, GIGA-Einkaufsverband, Globus Baumarkt, Grillfürst, home24, Hornbach, Intratuin, Jumbo, Kesko, Kingfisher, Lidl, Lowe’s, Makro/Metro Cash & Carry, Maxeda, SEGMÜLLER, Mr. Bricolage, OBI, REWE Group, Sainsbury’s/Argos, Sam’s Club, Schaffrath, Silvan, Tchibo, TJ Morris, toom, Walmart, Wayfair, Wickes, XXXLutz and ZEB Zentraleinkauf Baubedarf.
For many of these retailers, the timing and format of the fair are closely linked to their own planning cycles. Klaus Dolmer, Chief Executive Officer of Silvan from Denmark, noted: “spoga+gafa is an important meeting point for Silvan, giving us the opportunity to meet key suppliers, finalize our assortment, and discover new and innovative products for the following season. The timing fits well with our planning cycle and enables us to make timely decisions ahead of the next garden season. It is an efficient and convenient platform that helps Silvan save both time and cost by reducing the need for separate supplier visits abroad.”
Exhibitor perspectives on discussion quality and formats
Many exhibitors emphasised the quality of the discussions and the relevance of the contacts made at spoga+gafa 2026. Deborah Peltenburg, Commercial Director of Capi Europe BV, stated: “At spoga+gafa, we value much more than just showcasing our products. The trade fair provides a unique opportunity to meet existing and potential retail partners from all over the world in person. These face to face conversations help us better understand market needs, exchange ideas and build long-term relationships based on trust. The international character of spoga+gafa, combined with the direct interaction with industry professionals, makes it an essential event for us every year.”
The Living Furniture segment also reported strong results. Frits Wolf, Chief Executive Officer of 4 Seasons Outdoor BV, commented: “This year’s spoga+gafa really exceeded our expectations. It’s been one of the best editions we’ve had in the last few years, with lots of quality visitors and amazing reactions to our completely new collection. For us, it’s always a great opportunity to connect directly with the market, meet international customers, and start new partnerships.”
The new “Outdoor Adventure” theme world met with particular interest among exhibitors focusing on outdoor lifestyle and micro-adventures. Frank Rommersbach, Chief Executive Officer of Petromax GmbH, underlined its relevance: “Outdoor Adventure pursues an all-year-round approach and is therefore also of high relevance for the trade in the second half of the year. At spoga+gafa 2026, we successfully presented not only our innovations for 2027, but also our new products available for immediate delivery this year.”
The BBQ section also sent a clear signal for the future positioning of the category within the fair. Nils Cala, Member of the Management Board of Enders Colsman AG, said: “For us, spoga+gafa is a key platform for meeting both international and national retail partners, gaining valuable market insights and presenting our latest product innovations to a broad professional audience. The June date has proven its value and, from our perspective, provides ideal conditions for productive and focused business discussions.”
Key figures of spoga+gafa 2026 and outlook
Around 1,350 exhibitors from 50 countries participated in spoga+gafa 2026, with a foreign share of 92 percent. Approximately 23,500 trade visitors from 112 countries attended the fair, and 66 percent of them came from abroad. After Germany, the countries with the highest number of visitors included, among others, France, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland, underlining the event’s international reach.
With the decision to retain the June schedule and the next edition set to take place in Cologne from Tuesday, 15 June to Thursday, 17 June 2027, spoga+gafa aims to continue providing the global garden and BBQ industry with a stable calendar date, strong international participation and a platform for both business and forward-looking dialogue.
